A 5th Gen fighter's complexity is the prime factor in the limit of the production figures.
Posted on 01/19/2010 1:03:03 AM PST by myknowledge
The U.S. Navy has been nervously watching as the costs of the new F-35C and F-35B carrier aircraft increase. It comes down to this. Currently, it costs the navy, on average, $19,000 an hour to operate its AV-8 vertical takeoff and F-18C fighter aircraft. It costs 63 percent more to operate the F-35C (which will replace the F-18C) and the F-35B (which will replace the AV-8). These costs include buying the aircraft, training and maintaining the pilots, the aircraft and purchasing expendable items (fuel, spare parts, munitions.) Like the F-22, which recently had production capped at less than 200 aircraft, the capabilities, as superior as they were, did not justify the much higher costs. The F-35, at least for the navy, is headed in the same direction. The navy can go ahead with the more recent F-18E, and keep refurbishing, or even building, the AV-8. Politics, and lobbying by the F-35 manufacturer, will probably keep the F-35 headed for fleet service, no matter what the cost.
The 27 ton F-35 is armed with an internal 25mm cannon and four internal air-to-air missiles (or two missiles and two smart bombs). Plus four external smart bombs and two missiles. All sensors are carried internally, and max weapon load is 6.8 tons. The aircraft is very stealthy when just carrying internal weapons.
Development costs for the new U.S. F-35 fighter-bomber has grown by a third, to $60 billion, over the last few years. That means the average development cost of the estimated 5,000 F-35s to be built, will be about $12 million each. The additional development costs are accompanied by an additional delays before the aircraft enters service. Production costs will average about $84 million. With a share of development costs, that makes the per aircraft cost $96 million. This cost estimate continues to rise.
Like the F-22 fighter, the F-35 is stealthy, and is stuffed with lots of new technology. Most (about 60 percent) of the F-35s built will be used by foreign nations. The rising cost of the F-35 brings with it reluctance to buy as many aircraft currently planned. The success of smart bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan has also made it clear that fewer aircraft will be needed in the future. In any event, it's likely that F-35s will end up costing more than $100 million each.
A 5th Gen fighter's complexity is the prime factor in the limit of the production figures.
I can’t judge the relative merits and costs, but “sunk” costs on F-35 development are already “sunk”..... i.e., going forward the entire comparison should be analyzing costs vs. capabilities for all new development and production.
It makes no sense to me for the Navy/Congress to turn against the F-35 program based upon anything spent to date (I know, that’s not necessarily how politics works)...... do a whole new set of comparisons based upon what we have to spend going forward for each option. Seems like just about every new gen. program has loads of cost over-runs in development, but once we’ve already “spent” that money it should not be a reason to cancel a program (any weapon) if the cost/capabilities comparison for the future makes good sense....... but what do I know? :^)
Also, the F-35 has its operational limitations.
This is chump change compared to the V-22 Osprey fiasco.
They’re including the cost of buying the plane in it’s operational costs. That makes no sense. Once it goes fully mission capable, the F35 will be cheaper to fly than our current aircraft which are getting pretty old by now. Furthermore, the stealth capabilities alone justify the price. also, once they’re being mass produced, the cost per plane will go way down. This plane seems like a pretty good place to throw our fiat dollars IMO. It isn’t the F22 but, then again, it is available for export and it does kick a55.
Do you have a documented source for your claim or is this simply another case of ignorant gum flapping?
When you increase thrust it may mean Fan Inlet and Turbine Nozzle changes. With "Turkey Feathers" in the rear, that can be done via software, but changing the inlets would be tougher.
This tells me they are thinking of engine growth options and they are looking @ the design limitations.
Just my two cents, from someone who was in the bizz for a while....
Of course name calling usually comes from the schoolyard of the immature but I certainly can't recall the reference on that.
Here, let me do some research for the lazy amongst us but remember, I'm just the messenger so if you have anymore indignant thoughts, go to the author Pal. I won't be so patient the next time.
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